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To enhance the capacity of Ondo State to respond to lassa fever outbreaks, the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has collaborated with Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ondo State Ministry of Health to strengthen the capacity of the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) at Akure for Lassa fever diagnosis and management.

At the launch of the optimised laboratory in Ondo State, IHVN Epidemiology & Surveillance Manager for the SECURE-Nigeria  Project, Mr. Saiki Adinoyi Musa explained that Ondo State has been a hotspot for Lassa fever outbreaks, contributing 32% of Nigeria’s confirmed cases in 2023. Akure South Local Government Area recorded the highest number of cases, underscoring the urgency of improved diagnostic and response measures.

“Previously, patient samples from IDH Akure had to be transported to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, creating logistical challenges, delays in test results, and prolonged turnaround times that negatively impacted patient management. Recognizing these issues, the Ondo State Ministry of Health (SMoH) advocated for the optimization of the existing molecular laboratory at IDH.”

Mr. Saiki added that with support from IHVN implemented Strengthening Global Health Security Agenda in Nigeria (SECURE-Nigeria), the laboratory was optimized to conduct Lassa fever diagnostics, supportive tests, and enhance outbreak response mechanisms with funding from  the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -Division for Global Health Protection (US-CDC DGHP),  

“The facility received state-of-the-art equipment, including A BIOBASE Class III Biosafety Cabinet (Glove Box) and Hematology and Chemistry Auto Analyzers for supportive investigation. IHVN provided quality laboratory equipment commodities, alongside quality management training for laboratory scientists for accuracy and reliability in Lassa fever testing. We appreciate the government for providing an enabling environment for partners to collaborate with us.”

At the event, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola said that the new laboratory and equipment would enable the state to detect cases of Lassa fever on time and in turn reduce the rate of fatality.

At the occasion, NCDC Director General Dr Jide Idris, who was represented by National Incident Manager for Lassa Fever Emergency Operation Center Dr Yetunde Abioye, said more effort will be made to ensure the laboratory’s continuous functionality.

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) joined over 2,000 scientists, students, and professionals from academia to present, learn, and tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges at the 2025 Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) conference which held at Atlanta Georgia.

With the theme, “Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable Future”, the conference served as a premier platform for advancing global health collaborations, fostering interdisciplinary research, and strengthening academic partnerships.  It brought together leading institutions, researchers, policymakers, and organizations dedicated to addressing global health challenges.

IHVN showcased its contributions through 12 poster presentations and three oral presentations on innovative strategies, including intensified childhood TB case finding, male-targeted outreach, community interventions and real-time surveillance. Others include, AI-driven epidemiology, and TB contact investigation, the effects of community-based antiretroviral refill on adherence and retention, enhancing retention in care through client data re-validation and gatekeeping approach, improved viral load suppression amongst children living with HIV through targeted adherence counselling.

IHVN representatives at the conference said that it offered immense benefits for partnerships which are crucial in improving health outcomes in Nigeria and beyond.

According to Assistant, Director, Health Product Management, GC7 TB & HIV Grant and N-THRIP, Mrs Chiagozie Mgbemena, the CUGH conference was “inspiring and enlightening, and a great opportunity to showcase the great work IHVN is doing on a global scale.” Project Director, USAID TB LON 3 Project at IHVN, Dr. Gbenga Daniel mentioned that ‘by presenting and sharing cutting-edge best practices, IHVN has positioned itself as a valuable partner for academic institutions and research organizations seeking to address global health challenges. This conference has facilitated networking opportunities, enabling IHVN to establish connections with potential collaborators and funding agencies.”

Registration for the novel Exploring Excellence in Collaboration, Ethical Conduct and Leadership for Research Integrity through Empowerment (EXCEL- RITE) conference has commenced. The conference which is being organized by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) in collaboration with the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC),  is scheduled to hold from the 28^th to 30^th April, 2025.

IHVN Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah said that the conference is designed to equip attendees with the tools and knowledge necessary to uphold research integrity.

“Research investigators, institutions, policy makers, national and institutional ethics committees, students, legal bodies and regulators from diverse fields can register for free to participate in the conference. We are adopting a hybrid format for participants to engage in person or virtually in panel discussions, key note presentations, and interactive sessions,” Dr. Mensah noted.

Interested applicants can register via this link https://forms.gle/c1EGL9goZagj5cgX8 and check the conference website at https://ihvnigeria.org/excel-rite/

The International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is calling for applications for a five-day certified course on Public Health Data Analysis. The course is scheduled to be held from 12^th to 16^th May 2025 and offers an in-depth understanding of epi and statistical methods essential for analyzing public health data.

 IRCE Data Unit Lead, Dr. Nifarta Andrew said that participants will explore key topics such as epidemiological study designs, survey methodology, inferential statistics, correlation & regression analysis, and its interpretation and application to public health.

She called on data managers, analysts, health researchers, clinicians, postgraduates, non-governmental organizations and program personnel in the field of infectious and non-infectious diseases to apply.

“Learners will be equipped with the skills needed to apply epi and statistical concepts to public health data, through a blend of instructional and practical exercises, ensuring robust and reliable results. The course will also build their capacity to perform and interpret descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, be skilled in health data cleaning, exploration, and visualization amongst other areas.”

The course fee is ₦200,000.00 per participant with a 10% discount for a group of a minimum of three participants.

Interested individuals or groups can register via this link https://ihvnigeria.org/public-health-data-analysis/

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has built the capacity of more than 380 healthcare workers in 18 Local Government Areas (LGA) in Ondo State on the diagnosis and treatment of malaria.

The two-day training sessions, which held concurrently at the Local Government Areas, equipped participants with skills to identify malaria symptoms, use diagnostic tools effectively for treatment of malaria, and properly document malaria cases within the Health Management Information System.

IHVN Ondo State Manager Dr Samuel Akingbesote explained that the training was part of the activities of the World Bank-funded Immunization and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project, which IHVN has been engaged to implement by the Ondo State Ministry of Health.

”Regular training of frontline healthcare workers ensures they remain updated on best practices, guidelines, and innovative approaches to delivering high-quality healthcare services. This training will bridge gaps in knowledge and practice observed during baseline facility assessment in the state. It also aligns with the goals of the IMPACT Ondo Project by fostering the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered care and achieving measurable improvements in health outcomes. With the conclusion of healthcare workers training, all is set for the provision of qualitative malaria care backed up with effective data management and efficient logistics system in the state,” he said.

The Malaria Focal Person from Owo Local Government Area, Ms. Adejimi Omolade, said that the training provided updates on malaria case management. “We learned that in the first trimester, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) is safe for malaria in pregnancy. We also learned about proper use of the rapid diagnostic kit. Mrs. Omolade added that the sessions also guided grievance redress, which will build a good relationship between health care workers and patients.

Another participant, a nurse from Ondo West Local Government Area, Ms. Ajayi Tolulope, said that the sessions were a time for learning and relearning malaria case management in children.

“I learned that a minimum dose of Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine should be given to a pregnant woman as Intermittent Preventive Therapy in pregnancy. This should start between 13 to 16 weeks of gestation as Directly Observed Therapy,” she said. 

Healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, community health extension workers and laboratory scientists from the state’s 203 Basic Health Care Fund facilities participated in the malaria case management training.

IMPACT project is targeted at promoting the uptake of malaria prevention and treatment services among women and children under five years in Ondo State.